Rebirth in a Courtyard: I Am a Little Hunter

Little Stone and Little Grass stared at the bowl of oily, fragrant hot dish piled high with delicious ingredients, and the plump, fluffy steamed buns in their hands, hardly believing their eyes.

How long... how long has it been since I've had such hearty and delicious food?

Little Stone swallowed hard, then carefully took a bite of the steamed bun. The pure aroma of wheat made him squint his eyes in satisfaction. Then, he picked up a glistening radish with his chopsticks, blew on it, and put it in his mouth.

Instantly, the rich broth and the soft, sweet radish exploded in his mouth! He couldn't help but let out a "Mmm" sound, and without caring about the heat, he picked up a thick piece of seaweed and ate it in big bites.

Little Grass was a bit quieter, but she was just as fast. She took small bites of her steamed bun, then scooped up a spoonful of stew with broth and put it in her mouth. The delicious taste made her eyes light up, and a happy blush spread across her face as she ate with complete focus.

Wei Ran was very happy to see her two good friends eating so heartily. She chattered on and on about the fun she had played in the courtyard during the day.

Wang Xiulan and Wei Chen kept serving the two children food and soup. Watching them wolf down their food while trying their best to remain polite, they felt both happy and sad.

"Eat slowly, don't choke. Have some soup to help you swallow," Wang Xiulan gently instructed, then turned her gaze to Wei Chen, "Chen'er, you should eat too, you've been busy all day."

"Yes, I'm eating, Mom, you eat too." Wei Chen replied, feeling a warmth in his heart as he watched this heartwarming scene. This simple stew and steamed buns might not change anything, but at least on this cold winter night, it could add a little real warmth to the stomachs and hearts of the two unfortunate children.

After the meal, Little Stone and Little Grass helped Wei Ran clear the dishes. Their little bellies were round and full, and their little faces were filled with unprecedented satisfaction and rosy cheeks.

Wang Xiulan then insisted on giving Grandma Li and Aunt Liu each a small bowl of stew, telling the children to take it back for the adults to try.

After seeing off Little Stone and Little Grass, Wei Chen returned to his room. He took out several sheets of red paper he had bought at the supply and marketing cooperative during the day, and grabbed two large handfuls of plump peanuts from a cloth bag, wrapping them in an old newspaper. Then, carrying these two items, he went to the house of Uncle Yan Bugui, the third uncle, in the front yard.

Yan Bugui was sitting under the lamp, seemingly reading a book, but he was actually distracted, his ears perked up, listening intently to any sounds outside the door. Upon hearing a knock, he practically jumped up and quickly opened the door.

"Uncle, still not resting?" Wei Chen smiled and handed over the red paper and peanuts. "I bought the red paper. Could you please write six couplets and a few 'Fu' characters for me? Here are some peanuts for you to snack on. Writing couplets takes a lot of effort, so they'll soothe your throat."

"Oh dear! Look at you! Taking things again!" Yan Bugui said politely, but his hands deftly took the bag of peanuts. He weighed it in his hand and was quite satisfied with the amount. His smile widened. "Put the red paper here! Don't worry, I'll take care of the couplets! I guarantee they'll be beautifully written and have auspicious meanings! I'll also write you a lot of 'Fu' characters to paste on the doors and windows!" He patted his chest to assure him, but his eyes couldn't help but glance at the dark courtyard behind Wei Chen.

Wei Chen understood and lowered his voice: "Third Uncle, there's no rush for the couplets. It's late today, and the light isn't good. Just write them tomorrow during the day and call me to pick them up. As for the 'wild game,'" he emphasized the word, "remember, wait until it's late at night, and all the lights in the yard are off, then quietly come over from my south gate. I'll leave the gate ajar for you."

Yan Bugui understood immediately and nodded vigorously, his voice also very low: "I understand! I understand! Don't worry! Third Uncle knows what he's doing! I guarantee I won't alert anyone! So... I'll just wait?" His eyes gleamed with anticipation.

"Okay." Wei Chen nodded. "Then I'll head back now."

Stepping out of Yan Bugui's house, the courtyard was completely shrouded in night. Most of the windows were dark, with only a few lights still on, casting a dim, yellowish glow.

The cold wind howled through the eaves and doorways, making a whistling sound. The clamor, boasting, envy, and curses that had arisen during the day over the pound of meat seemed to be temporarily buried by the thick darkness of the night.

Wei Chen stood at the entrance of his own courtyard, glancing back at the sleeping tenement. The direction of the Jia family's residence was pitch black, but he could almost hear the lingering echoes of Jia Zhangshi's resentful curses in the air.

The window of the deaf old lady in the backyard was also dark; Mr. and Mrs. Yi Zhonghai had probably already put her to bed. There was still a faint light in the room of Sha Zhu in the middle courtyard; he was probably still drinking alone. The light was still on in the window of the third uncle in the front yard; the old accountant was probably excitedly calculating how many dumplings he could make with the wild boar meat he was about to get.

He took a deep breath of the cold air, turned around, and pushed open the gate to his small courtyard. Inside, his mother, Wang Xiulan, was still tidying up in the kitchen, with the soft sounds of water and the clinking of dishes coming from within. His younger sister, Wei Ran, had probably already washed up and was getting ready for bed. Warm sunlight streamed through the window, dispelling the chill outside.

A pound of meat, a few apples, a pot of stew, a few couplets... In this era of scarcity, these insignificant things, like pebbles thrown into a stagnant pond, stirred up ripples in this crowded courtyard.

It reflects the greed and scheming of human nature, but also reveals the hope and glimmer of light amidst hardship. It touches the nerves of the shrewd and calculating, while also quietly conveying a warmth that transcends blood ties.

Back in her own courtyard, all that remained were the soft clattering sounds of Wang Xiulan washing dishes in the kitchen and the lingering crackling of the unburnt firewood in the stove.

Wei Ran's face was still flushed with excitement as she tugged at her mother's hand and chattered excitedly, "Mom, Xiao Cao ate two big bowls of stew today! She said she'd never tasted anything so delicious! Xiao Shi Tou too, he ate that steamed bun so fast! Brother, can we invite them over for dinner again sometime?"

"Of course, as long as they're willing to come." Wei Chen smiled and ruffled his sister's hair. Seeing her friends enjoying their meal made Wei Ran even happier than if she were eating herself.

Wang Xiulan finished tidying up, dried her hands, and came out of the kitchen, her face showing a satisfied weariness and warmth. She looked at her two children, her gaze landing on Wei Chen: "Chen'er, everything's ready. Tomorrow... are you going back to the village to see Grandpa and Grandma?"

"Yes, Mom, it's a promise." Wei Chen nodded, then saw a fleeting look of longing and hesitation in his mother's eyes, and Wei Ran's eyes lit up instantly.

"Brother! Take me back! I miss Grandpa and Grandma! I miss Uncle and Aunt! I miss Sister Weimin and Brother Weiguo! I also miss Xiaohua and Ergou from the village! I have so much to tell them!" Wei Ran immediately rushed over and hugged Wei Chen's arm, like a spoiled kitten, her little face tilted up, her big eyes full of longing and anticipation. "I... I also hid a lot of candy and delicious food to bring them!"

Looking at her daughter, Wang Xiulan's hesitation vanished instantly, and a wave of longing for her hometown washed over her.

The familiar mud-brick houses, the wisps of smoke rising from the chimneys, the old locust tree at the village entrance, the kind faces of the parents-in-law, the gossip of the sisters-in-law... Although coming to the city was supposed to be a life of comfort, it hadn't been long since I left, and the heavy homesickness was already weighing on my heart.

She sighed softly, her tone carrying a longing she herself didn't realize: "Yes, it's been a while since I left. I wonder how my parents are doing, and whether the piglets in the village are thriving... I'm a little homesick, but... I'm just afraid of going through too much trouble..."

Seeing the longing in his mother's eyes, which she tried so hard to suppress but still revealed, and then looking at his younger sister's almost jumping-up excitement, Wei Chen's heart softened, and he immediately made the decision: "What's the fuss about! Mom, Xiao Ran, let's go back together tomorrow!"

"Really?!" Wei Ran jumped up, her braids bobbing with her excitement. "Brother is the best!" she cheered, immediately letting go of Wei Chen and dashing into her sleeping cubicle like a happy little deer. "I'm going to find my candy! And my marbles! I'll take them all to Sister Wei Min and the others!"

Infected by her daughter's emotions, Wang Xiulan couldn't help but smile, the wrinkles at the corners of her eyes smoothing out. But then she became worried: "Chen'er, there won't be enough room on your bicycle when we get back... This ticket... and these things..." She knew her son was capable, but she was always afraid of burdening him.

"Mom, don't worry!" Wei Chen helped his mother sit down and explained his arrangements in detail. "Tomorrow morning, you and Xiao Ran will go to the Qianmen bus station to take the bus directly to the commune. I'll ride my bicycle to pick up the things I prepared for Grandpa and Grandma that I left with a friend outside the city, and then I'll ride back. We'll meet at the commune bus station. I'll find you when I get there, and we'll walk back to the village together. I've prepared everything: 10 jin of meat and 5 jin of flour, enough for Grandpa, Grandma, and Uncle to have a good New Year. Didn't you buy some snacks a few days ago? Get Grandpa and Grandma a couple more bags to try. Don't worry about the food; I've arranged everything."

"Ten catties of meat? Five catties of flour?!" Wang Xiulan gasped in surprise. This was too extravagant! But looking at her son's confident and composed eyes, her worry turned into deep satisfaction and pride.

Her son had truly made something of himself, and he was so thoughtful. She didn't ask any more questions, but nodded vigorously, her voice tinged with a barely perceptible sob: "Okay! Okay! I'll do whatever you say! I'll go pack right now!" As if injected with vitality, Wang Xiulan immediately got up and began rummaging through drawers and cabinets with light steps.

She found two pairs of cotton shoes with thick soles that she had sewn herself, stitch by stitch. The soles were thick and the stitches were fine. They were for her parents-in-law. Then she carefully took out an oil paper package from deep inside the cupboard. Inside were two packets of steamed sponge cake (an old-fashioned type of sponge cake) that she had gritted her teeth to buy a few days ago and had been reluctant to eat, as well as a bag of peach shortbread.

She carefully wrapped these items together with the shoes, making a sturdy bundle. Wei Ran also proudly presented her small tin box, which contained a few colorful fruit candies, a handful of roasted peanuts, and a few beautiful, polished glass marbles—her entire "treasure trove."

Watching his mother and sister's busy and cheerful figures, Wei Chen felt a warm glow in his heart.

Home is what this kind of longing is all about.